This tender and moist Applesauce Bread is made even more delicious with a crunchy cinnamon oat topping. Enjoy a slice for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon snacking!
Applesauce Bread
Although I have dozens of quick bread recipes in my collection, I had never tried applesauce bread before. Boy, was I missing out!
This bread is perfectly spiced, smells fabulous while baking, and is delicious hot or cold. Oh, and it’s easy to make. Bonus!
Don’t even get me started on the topping. Guys. It’s buttery, crunchy, sweet, and downright delicious. It is the perfect addition to the moist and cinnamon-y bread. You are going to be tempted to pick it all off the top of the bread. So will your kids. You may have to hide it. 😉
I’ve made this bread several times. Sometimes with nuts, sometimes without. Sometimes with sour cream, sometimes with buttermilk. It’s pretty versatile.
However, it does tend to stick to the pan. If you don’t want to use shortening and flour to grease your pans, I recommend using Baker’s Joy and lining the bottom of your pans with parchment paper. Because there’s nothing more frustrating than having your perfect loaf of bread crack in half and stick to the bottom of the pan.
I used canned applesauce, but if you have homemade, I’m sure that would work splendidly. It’s a delicious quick bread. Enjoy!
Tips for making Applesauce Bread:
- Make sure you grease your pans really well with shortening or Baker’s Joy spray, and use parchment paper on the bottom for best results. Regular non-stick spray doesn’t work as well.
- A few readers have had their topping sink. I’ve only made mini loaves in these pans, and never had a problem with that. I think that because the large loaf takes so long to bake, the filling sinks before the bread is set up. It might be a good idea to cut the topping in half if you make the large loaves.
Enjoy quick breads? Here’s a few more recipes:
- Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Snickerdoodle Bread
- Lemon Blueberry Bread
- Raspberry Banana Bread
- Almond Poppy Seed Bread
- Pina Colada Bread
- Eggnog Crumb Bread
- Chocolate Banana Bread
- Pineapple Zucchini Bread
- Dutch Apple Bread
RECIPE FOR APPLESAUCE BREAD
Crumb Topped Applesauce Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
Bread
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- ¾ cup oil
- 2 cups applesauce
- ½ cup sour cream or buttermilk
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped nuts optional
Topping
- ¾ cup oats
- 3 Tbsp flour
- ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- ¾ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup soft butter
Instructions
- Use shortening and flour or Baker's Joy to grease six mini loaf pans or two large loaf pans. Line the bottoms with parchment. Set aside.
- Beat together eggs, sugar, and oil in a large mixing bowl. Mix in applesauce and sour cream. Combine dry ingredients and stir in. Add nuts if desired.
- Pour into your prepared loaf pans.
- Mix together the topping ingredients with a fork till crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the loaves.
- Bake at 325° for 30-40 minutes for mini loaves, 60-70 minutes for regular loaves.
Followed recipe exactly except used Stevia for half of the sugar and it turned out great. Made two tiny loves , one regular loaf and four muffins.
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So happy to hear that it turned out with half Stevia! Thanks for sharing your variation, it will be helpful for my other readers. 🙂
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I work for a B&B and made this for the guests to go with breakfast. They absolutely loved it, in fact one guest was leaving and asked if he could have a hunk for the ride.
This recipe is very easy and oh so moist!
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That makes me so happy to hear! I hope you make it over and over again and have lots of happy guests! 🙂
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Made this bread tonight and it was yummy! Was fast, easy, and made 2 full size loaves. Thanks for the recipe!
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You are so welcome – glad you enjoyed it!
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I am so excited about this bread!!! I didn’t have sour cream or buttermilk so I used vanilla flavored Silk almond milk yogurt. The batter was tasty. Now I just have to wait for it to cool a little.
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Did those who have baked the Crumb Topped Applesauce Bread use unsweetened applesauce or regular applesauce? I would like to hear feedback from them.
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Oh my gosh!!! This is an amazing recipe. I made homemade applesauce, using apples from my tree. I added chopped pecans.
Such a yummy, moist bread. We loved it!
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I bet the homemade applesauce made it even more tasty!
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How long do you let it cool before trying to remove it from the pan? I’m thinking I’m going to lose the toppings too in the process.
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I usually let it cool for about 10 minutes. Sadly, some of the topping does fall off, but not too much. You could try holding a paper towel on it as you tip it over, that might help a bit. My kids actually picked up all of the fallen crumbs and ate them. haha
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This bread is delicious. I discovered it at Thanksgiving and used up my homemade applesauce (Ina Garten’s recipe). I cut the sugar by 1/2 cup since there’s alot of sugar in the applesauce.
I didnt have enough mini bakers so I made the rest into muffins. Baked 10 min less than loaves. Wonderful!!
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I love this bread! We make apple cider and my frugal husband just couldn’t stand to throw away the peel and pulp that is left over. So we blended it up, froze it and use it as the applesauce in this recipe! Such a good recipe. Thanks
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Would I be able to make this in a cake pan? Would that make the toppings sink? I made this in the regular loaf pans and it came out fantastic so I would like to make a cake version of this.
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I’ve never tried it, but I do think it should work as a cake. I don’t think the topping would sink. If you give it a try, let me know how it turns out!
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I finally got around to making this. It is very moist and not too sweet, despite the amount of sugar that goes into it. While the flavor didn’t bowl me over, I would make it again. I’m freezing one for a month to see how it fares when left to defrost.
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Let me know how well it freezes. I don’t typically freeze loaves with a crumbly topping, so I’m curious to know how it turns out. 🙂
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Well, I froze this loaf for about a month, and then couldn’t wait any longer so I let it sit out on the counter over night, wrapped only in plastic wrap. It was absolutely delicious! Moist and not too sweet. My daughter and her husband were actually fighting over it! I will definitely be making this again – makes a perfect breakfast snack and would make a great gift!
I was wondering if you could use granola for the topping? I have a bag of cinnamon flavored granola – the kind you would sprinkle on ice cream or just eat out of the bag, and I thought it might make a super crunchy cinnamon-ey topping.
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1. My neighbor made it and it’s delicious.
2. It seems like a lot of sugar and oil. I wonder, since the applesauce adds both sweetness and moisture if you can skim a little on the sugar and oil?
3. Another option might be to add very small cubes of fresh apple.
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You could definitely try it with less oil and sugar and see how it turns out. I think it would be great with chunks of apple. My kids don’t love them though, so I haven’t tried adding them to this bread. Let me know how your changes turn out!
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Hi, this sounds delish! My question is: Could you freeze the loaves once they are done — wrapping them well in plastic then put in a zip lock bag? I give baked goods at Christmas, and this sounds so easy; however, I would need to make up in batches and freezing them before I hand them out would be a big help to me. Thanks!
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I’m not trying to endorse anything, but I tried every bread pan on the market. Bread would stick and/or burn on the outside edges. Until I tried Rachael Ray’s pans. I never have to grease them and the bread bakes perfect every time and doesn’t stick. Sometimes I have to run a knife around the edges after cooling for a bit, but that’s it! Easy peasy!!
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I’ll have to check out her pans – thanks for sharing!!
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What about high altitudes?
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I live at a high altitude, and it works great for me!
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Would Almond Flour work as a substitute to the regular flour?
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I’ve never used almond flour, so I’m not sure. It’s worth a try!
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It was ok..nothing great. I expected a lot more after all these comments.
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What a great article!
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The picture is yummy looking. Figured out that the topping must go on later as the bread bakes. Mine has sunk in the middle since my topping has already sunk in the middle. Sure hope my bread comes out not soggy..question whend o you add the topping?
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I’ve never had my topping sink, but I’ve always used the mini loaf pans. I add the topping before I put it in the oven. Sorry you had trouble with yours. Did you use the large pans? I’m wondering if that is a factor.
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Its easy enough to make and tastes good but my topping sank to the bottom and parts stuck to the pan.
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Sorry that your topping sank. It does have a tendency to stick to the pan, so I always use parchment paper.
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This is a wonderful recipe! It is easy and delicious! I added chopped walnuts to the crumb topping. This is going on my holiday baking list. I bake about 20-30 loaves of quick breads each season.
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Made this, wonderful great , yummy
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Can I add a can of Apple pie filling?
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You could definitely try it, but I’m not sure how the extra moisture and sugar will change the final product. Let me know how it goes.
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A friend made some for us last week . So delicious I couldn’t wait to get the recipe. I am making it for parties the next 2 Fridays. Thank you Kara!
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Hope they were a big hit at your parties Debbie!
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My coworker made this bread for us for the holidays. It was so yummy that I immediately got the recipe for myself. Going to try it today!
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I had apple butter at and used that. My family loves chocolate chips so I added that as well. Came out great, thank you.
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I bet that was a tasty addition!
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Would this work with greek yogurt instead of sour cream
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Yes, I think Greek yogurt would work just fine.:)
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Would this work with greek yogurt instead of sour cream
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Are you using rolled oats for the crumb topping?
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Yes. You can use either regular or quick.
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Do you use unsweetened applesauce?
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Yes, but really any kind of applesauce should work.
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Do you just put parchment on the bottom OR on the bottom and all sides? Thanks!
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I typically just put parchment on the bottom because I know I can use a knife to loosen the sides if I need to. But you could definitely use parchment on the sides as well if you prefer.
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I made your applesauce bread. It is a winner!!! Moist and dense, and the crumb topping is perfect.
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Aw, thank you Martha! I am so glad you liked it. It is my favorite applesauce bread recipe by far!
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Hi Kara!
I’m wondering if this recipe would work for muffins as well. I like to bring treats for my students and muffins are easier to pass around. How long do you think they should bake?
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I would check them at 15 minutes and add more time if they aren’t done yet.
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Do you think this could be made with chunky applesauce?
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Yes, I think that would work just fine!
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This bread is amazing moist and omg the topping. I will make this to give at bake sales family and friends
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I’m making this next, I think it will be delicious!
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I want to make this soon! 🙂 For us. A loaf of this could also be a wonderful gift to a favorite hard-working teacher with a cute apple tag on it. (Btw, I can’t believe SOMEone hasn’t made and commented on this!! Kara, you have such amazing recipes.)
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Thank you so much Susan! I love getting feedback, but most of my readers are pretty quiet, so most of my posts don’t have comments. It honestly makes my day when someone leaves kind words, so know that you are appreciated!! And I love the idea of adding an apple tag for a teacher – I might just have to make one up!
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